My e30 has not been started for about 2yrs. The last time it ran, it was fine, I've just been neglectful. Please don't tell me what a jerk I've been, I know, I know. I was thinking a couple drops of oil in each plug hole and maybe a quick spray of wd40 because it can come out atomized, and therefore cover the walls. I did put that storage stuff in the fuel in anticipation of the car sitting for a while.If anyone has different/better ideas please speak up. Or if this topic is covered elsewhere, and I missed it, point me in that direction.I really do love this car, I swear. Just sometimes we hurt the ones we love.
Disconnect the ignition coil and the fuel pump fuse, then crank it to get the oil to circulate. I'd skip the WD40 as its not really a good lubricant and just put a little oil down the bores.
After a bit of cranking, put the fuse back in and hook up the coil.
First, self flagellation. (Why can I find no pics of Silas whipping himself?)
Second, drain fluids and replace...or buy a few filters and swap in until skunky old gas and oil are gone.
Check belts and hoses, plugs and wires.
Enjoy
How long of sitting without running do you need to go through these procedures for. My race car has spent a lot of time sitting. Hasn't been really driven around for about three years, but has been started and run for 15 minutes or so about twice each year.
Cotton
SuperDork
3/27/14 12:03 p.m.
2 years? Fresh gas and a charged battery and let her rip. Two years is nothing IMO.
Cotton wrote:
2 years? Fresh gas and a charged battery and let her rip. Two years is nothing IMO.
That.
And pinchvalve, is he flogging himself? 
mtn
UltimaDork
3/27/14 12:16 p.m.
When we get there with my great Aunt's Buick that has been sitting for... 3 years? 4? I'm going to put in as much premium gas as it will hold, put in a new battery, and drive it to the nearest oil change place and get new oil.
But we don't really care about that car much.
2 years doesn't overly worry me either.
If you feel overly generous, pull the plugs and put some ATF or oil down the bores.
See if it will start.
Change oil before driving.
Top off with premium.
Get through the tank before flogging. Perhaps premium on second tank with some injector cleaner?
Thats if you really care about it.
If its a meh vehicle.. Will it start? DRIVE.
After 2 years, I'd turn the key and see what happens. If the battery is dead, I'd jump it.
I'd probably do that no matter how long it had been sitting. The oil that's in it is good enough for a start up and after 2 years the fuel probably is too, unless you parked it empty. If so, you might have a water problem.
tuna55
PowerDork
3/27/14 12:47 p.m.
Make sure it wasn't stored without hood or air cleaner outside, or else this might happen.
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/the-tunachucker-ltd/45129/page1/
2 years is nothing. check the oil, turn the key.
Toyman01 wrote:
After 2 years, I'd turn the key and see what happens. If the battery is dead, I'd jump it.
I'd probably do that no matter how long it had been sitting. The oil that's in it is good enough for a start up and after 2 years the fuel probably is too, unless you parked it empty. If so, you might have a water problem.
Its not if the oil is good but where the oil is. If the rings are dry or stuck a little PB blaster in the bores before the first crank is a good thing. I have done that motors that had been "stuck" for 20 + years.
2 years? Just try to turn it on.
hook up the battery and turn the key...
I revived my father in laws truck that sat for 5 or 6 years. I put five gallons of fresh gas in it, a can of seafoam in the tank, fresh oil change and a new battery. It fired up on the first try! So 2 years should be a similar story.
